We can never know how many of the world’s smallest and rarest dolphin’s die in fishing nets every year. Many reports are under-estimated and require self reporting by fishermen.

Fair to say, the Hector’s and Maui dolphins are still in need of urgent help. The Ministry for Primary Industries has recently asked the public to help them decide how Hector’s dolphins can be further protected from fishing nets around the South Island. They’ve issued 4 options, however with the guidance from leading marine mammal scientists here in New Zealand we propose a 5’th option.

We have created a simple template that just requires you to fill in your name and a few very simple details, and then email it directly to dolphinTMP@mpi.govt.nz (email address also on template).

We sincerely ask you to take just 2 minutes to add your name and another 2 minutes to attach and send in an email. It’s that easy, and could have a big lasting impact on the survival of our native species….click here or on the download template button above. You can read our latest blog post which describes the submission options in detail. 

adopt a dolphin hectors dolphins

Become an official ‘Protect Hector’s Team Member’ and support New Zealand’s endangered and endemic dolphin

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black cat cruises education programme

Find out about our school education programme which includes a nine week lesson plan for both students and teachers

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The Facts

2,000

Hector’s Dolphins in and
around Banks Peninsula

10k

Hector’s Dolphins
in New Zealand

45%

rate dolphins
important in deciding to visit New Zealand

43

estimated Hector’s Dolphins deaths from set nets on the South Island east coast per year

$24.5M

economic impact generated by nature tourism in Akaroa

5

Hector’s Dolphins caught by one set of nets off Banks Peninsula in 2018

100M

of proposed protection depth around
New Zealand Coasts

476

jobs attributed to working with Hector’s Dolphins created in New Zealand

75k

tourists will see Hector’s Dolphins in Akaroa in 2019

64%

of people rated dolphins as important to their decision to visit Christchurch

4

nautical miles of offshore protection for Hector’s Dolphins at Banks Peninsula Marine Mammal Sanctuary

1.5m

Is the length of a full-grown Hector’s Dolphin; among the smallest of all dolphins

Conservation is part of our DNA and protecting our special dolphins is just part of who we are. We continue to work with partners and the community to advocate for further protection for our rare native dolphin

Did you know It’s estimated the Akaroa Hector’s dolphin industry generates $24.5M* a year in direct and indirect revenue with $19.5M of that for Canterbury alone. This equates to 476 jobs (419 in Canterbury) The dolphins are the must do attraction in Akaroa and bring vital tourism dollars to the region. Nearly $100M in the last 4 years. We commissioned an Economic Impact Assesment which you can find here.

Organisations supporting better protection for hector's & Maui dolphins

BLACK CAT CRUISES, TOURISM INDUSTRY AOTEAROA, CHRISTCHURCHNZ, DEPARTMENT OF CONSERVATION, WWF NEW ZEALAND, ICUN, GREENPEACE NZ, NZ WHALE AND DOLPHIN TRUST, INTERNATIONAL WHALING COMMISSION, NABU INTERNATIONAL, WHALE AND DOLPHIN CONSERVATION, SEA SHEPHERD NZ, MAUI AND HECTOR’S DOLPHINS DEFENDERS, MISSION BLUE HOPE SPOT, WORLD ANIMAL PROTECTION, BANKS PENINSULA CONSERVATION TRUST, WORLD CETACEAN ALLIANCE, HECTOR’S PROTECTORS, BLACK PHINS, EARTH RACE, PROJECT JONAH NZ, PEOPLE FOR NATURE AND PEACE, GUARDIANS OF THE SOUND, OUR SEAS OUR FUTURE, REAL JOURNEYS, WHALE WATCH, DOLPHIN ENCOUNTER, POHATU PENGUINS, E-KO TOURS, COAST UP CLOSE, AKAROA DOLPHINS, ANNADALE, FOX2 SAILING ADVENTURES LTD, ROAD TRIPPERS, CAMPERMATE, YHA NEW ZEALAND, BACKPACKER YOUTH AND ADVENTURE TOURISM ASSOCIATION, PELORUS MAIL BOAT LTD, AKAROA DISTRICT PROMOTIONS, IDNZ, NEW ZEALAND CRUISE ASSOCIATION, CANTERBURY LEISURE TOURS, HAKA TOURS, HASSLE FREE TOURS, VISITOR POINT, CANTERBURY TRAILS, BACKPACKER AND ADVENTURE TOURISM CHRISTCHURCH, AA TOURISM